BrewDog expands core range
Scottish craft brewer and pub operator BrewDog has added a new beer to its core range.
Wingman is a 4.3% ABV session IPA boasting grassy hops with tropical notes of pineapple and lime.
BrewDog PLC chief marketing officer Lauren Carrol said: “We recognise the demand for an uncomplicated, stand-out session-strength IPA, with this style identified as the most valuable draught craft beer in the on-trade and growing.
“With the current market leader worth £155m and seeing outstanding growth, we feel BrewDog is well placed to challenge the category and drive additional value.”
In addition, Carrol stated more than half (51%) or craft beer drinkers would choose BrewDog brands if available, according to data from CGA Brand Builder 2022.
The launch of Wingman will be supported by a £3m campaign including social media marketing, city centre sampling and POS material including branded glassware.
“We are placing significant investment into the brand to ensure Wingman is one of the biggest craft beer launches, ever.
“BrewDog drinkers love to experiment and try new styles, and with its great tasting liquid, quirky branding and stand-out marketing activity we are sure Wingman will quickly become a fan favourite”, Carrol added.
The new serve is available now to the on-trade direct from BrewDog.
In addition, the Ellon-based businesses distilling arm has announced the release of a new RTD cocktail range, Wonderland Cocktails, launching with Classic Mojito, Classic Margarita, Espresso Martini, Cantarito Paloma and Passionfruit Martini variants.
The new shake and serve cocktail range varies between 10% and 14% ABV and has been crafted using BrewDog Distilling Co's recently launched artisan spirits: LoneWolf gin, Abstrakt vodka, DUO rum and Casa Rayos tequila.
Wonderland Cocktails are available now 200ml or 125ml can format direct from BrewDog at RRP £3.90 per serve.
BrewDog Distilling Co. director Steven Kersley said: "We’ve made sure that these cocktails taste unlike any other canned cocktail you’ve experienced before and that’s why our cans are slightly oversized. We’ve left just enough space for you to shake your cocktail, creating silky flavour texture just like it would be in a bar. It’s time to go on an adventure with cocktails.”
Britvic introduces new J20 mocktail range
Britvic has released a new portfolio of RTD J20 mocktails, launching in three different flavours.
The new serves will be available to the on-trade from this month in Strawberry & Orange Blossom Mojito, White Peach & Mango Daiquiri, and Blackberry & Blueberry Martini variants.
Britvic director of foodservice and licenses Adam Russell said: “We know consumers are looking for more premium experiences when they visit on-trade outlets, and the launch of J2O Mocktails now offers consumers the great taste of their favourite cocktails, all in one convenient non-alcoholic can.
“The canned format of our J2O Ready-To-Drink Mocktails also ensures that bartenders can produce consistent serves every time – ensuring no compromise on taste or quality, even when the bar is busy.”
J20 RTD Mocktails will be available in 250ml can format at RRP £3.49 direct from Britvic.
Thatchers releases new spiced variant
Somerset-based cidermaker Thatchers has unveiled a new seasonal flavour for the on-trade, available on draught with its Fusion Font range.
Spiced Apple (4% ABV) offers flavours of warming spices, including cinnamon, cloves and ginger, mixed with sweet Somerset cider and balanced with spicy citrus notes.
The new seasonal flavour can be served cold straight from the Fusion Font, which allows operators to dispense three ciders on one font, or heated as a spiced mulled cider.
Thatchers head of on-trade James Palmer said: “Consumers love to see new and exciting ciders on the bar.
“As we approach the Autumn and Winter months, adding a new seasonal flavour to the bar will keep their interest in cider high."
Read more here.
Adnams and Verdant Brewing announce collaborative brew
Suffolk-based brewery Adnams and Cornish brewer Verdant have announced a new collaborative beer, Evening Gleams (4.2% ABV).
Evening Gleams is an American Red Rye Ale, boasting aromas of cedar and pine followed by notes of ripe pineapple, rye spice and red apple with a zesty finish that pairs well with gooey grilled cheese toasties, spicy roasted chicken, rich Shepherd’s pie or sausages and mash.
The new serve is available now to the on-trade in keg, 440ml can and cask format direct from Adnams.
Port Askaig unveils three new expressions
Port Askaig has unveiled three new Islay single malt whisky expressions, Port Askaig 8-Year-Old, Port Askaig Cask Strength (59.4% ABV) and Port Askaig 17-Year-Old (51.8% ABV).
At the heart of the relaunch is the brand’s revitalised Port Askaig 8-Year-Old, which is a herbaceous serve featuring notes of seaweed salt, pinewood and warming smoke.
The other two new serves in the range are limited- edition offerings, with Port Askaig’s floral, dark chocolate and citrus flavoured 17-year-old whisky, of which 9,000 bottles a year will be produced, the first to be released.
Port Askaig Cask Strength, which offers notes of vanilla and citrus alongside peat smoke, will be limited to no more than 60 casks per batch.
Every expression in the Port Askaig core range is non-chill filtered and free from added colouring, staying true to the brand's dedication to providing an unadulterated Islay whisky experience.
Port Askaig 8 -Year-Old, Cask Strength and 17-Year-Old will be available this month from Speciality Brands at RRP £49.95, £64.95 and £125 respectively.
Greene King launches new cask
Suffolk-based pub operator and brewer Greene King has announced the launch of a new limited-edition cask ale.
Dark Tide (4.7%) is a traditional English porter, described by Greene King as having a “gentle bitterness” with chocolate and coffee notes alongside hints of blackcurrant and spice.
The new serve has been created in collaboration with brewing apprentices from Nottingham University as part of Greene King’s partnership with the National Brewing Apprentice Programme to enable student brewers to get “hands-on” experience.
Read more here.
Salcombe Gin partners with RNLI to launch new serve
Award-winning Devon-based distiller Salcombe Gin has partnered with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to launch Four Seas gin (40% ABV) to celebrate the charity's 200 anniversary.
The new classic London dry gin offers aromas of fresh lemon and juniper followed by a citrus tang and sweet buckthorn with underlying floral and earthy layers on the palate, best served with a premium tonic and ice or in cocktails, drawing inspiration from the British coastline where the Atlantic Ocean, Irish Sea, English Channel and North Sea, all meet our shores - the same four seas served and protected by the RNLI.
Salcombe Distilling Co. co-founder and director Angus Lugsdin said: “Spending years working at sea and having grown up learning to sail in Salcombe and watching with fascination as a child when the Salcombe Lifeboat was called out, it’s hard to express just how thrilled I am about the collaboration between Salcombe Gin and the RNLI.
"Having spent years offshore and undergoing sea survival training myself, I have the utmost respect for the RNLI and its dedicated volunteers who generously devote their time to safeguarding and rescuing lives at sea, ensuring a safer environment for us all.
“It fills the Salcombe Gin team with immense pride to join forces with the charity, knowing that the sale of ‘Four Seas’ by Salcombe Gin will contribute to our coastal communities and support the RNLI in their crucial mission."
Salcombe Four Seas Gin is available now direct from the brand in 70cl bottle format at RRP £39.50. For the next two years, 10% of the net price of each bottle sold will be donated to the RNLI.
JW Lees releases new lager
Pub operator and brewer JW Lees has announced the launch of Light, a new 3.4% draught lager.
Brewed with British hops and malt, the straw-coloured beer boasts a subtle hop bitterness complemented by hints of tropical fruit and mandarin.
JW Lees managing director William Lees-Jones said: "We are thrilled to introduce Light to our customers.
"This lager represents not only our dedication to brewing excellence, but also our deep-rooted connection to British ingredients. With its light and refreshing character, Light is perfect for those seeking a quality yet approachable beer option.
“We hope it will become our customers’ go-to choice for a crisp and flavourful lager experience."
JW Lees Light is available across the pubco’s managed estate now.
Plantation Rum expands portfolio
Launched by Alexandre Gabriel, Plantation Rum has added Sealander, a blended 40% rum, to its collection.
Sealander combines elements of rums from Barbados, Mauritius and the Fiji Islands with notes of pear, gooseberry and smoky molasses on the nose followed by honey, liquorice, vanilla, fudge and prune on the palate with a cooked apple, tonka bean and dried banana finish.
The new serve will be available from Monday 9 October in 70cl bottle format at RRP £39 exclusively at Master of Malt.
Conor McGregor’s Irish stout now available in the on-trade
Forged Irish Stout, a recently launched stout brand created by UFC double champion Conor McGregor, has signed an exclusive distribution deal with wholesaler LWC Drinks.
After launching in the off-trade in August this year, Forged, which is a 4.2% ABV stout offering notes of coffee and chocolate, is now available on draught to the on-trade.
LWC beer & cider category manager Lee Williams said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Forged Irish Stout to LWC’s Signature Brands portfolio.
“Since Covid we have seen unprecedented growth in stout within our own customer base and the wider market, and with consumers seeking out lighter, more sessionable alternatives, we feel there is significant opportunity for another premium contender to join the fold.”
The on-trade introduction will be supported by PoS material and initial installation offers.
Forged will be availble in 30 litre keg format direct from LWC after Monday 9 October.
MONIN releases new Spiced Berries syrup
Leading syrup brand MONIN has expanded its portfolio with the release of its Spiced Red Berries variant.
Infused with red berries and offering notes of ginger and clove, MONIN described the new syrup as an "ideal choice" for "enhancing the flavour" of hot cocktails, such as Hot Toddies or Mulled Cider, and coffee-based drinks.
MONIN senior beverage expert Lee Hyde said: “MONIN Spiced Red Berries syrup is a game changer for mixologists and baristas alike. Our syrup is expertly crafted to elevate hot cocktails beyond the ordinary, offering a myriad of options to satisfy the discerning palates of consumers seeking something more than traditional mulled drinks”
The new syrup is available now direct from the brand's webshop in 70cl bottle format at RRP £9.99.
LTC partners with Phantom Brewing Co to release charity beer
The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has partnered with Reading-based craft brewery, Phantom Brewing Co, to launch limited-edition charity beer A Little TLC (5% ABV).
Named in support of LTC’s current campaign ‘Because Everyone Needs a Little TLC’, the beer is a hazy pale ale brewed with Vista, Sabro and Citra hops, giving notes of zesty citrus, juicy peach and soft coconut.
A Little TLC will be availble in can and keg format from this month direct from Phantom Brewing Co’s taproom and online shop, with 10% of the profit from the brewery’s bars from 16-19 November donated to the LTC.
Phantom Brewing Co said “Through our charity initiatives, we look to support important causes each month, it’s a project that both our staff and customers are highly invested in.
“However, I’m not sure we’ve ever supported a charity so close to home. Working in the drinks profession, it’s important we’re able to fundraise for a charity that does so much good, for the industry we love.
“We hope A Little TLC will allow the Licensed Trade Charity to care for even more people in the industry, in their time of need.”
If you have any new products being released to the on-trade, email the details with high resolution images for potential inclusion to Rebecca.weller@wrbm.com. The Next round-up will be published on Thursday 2 November.
